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SOLUTION OVERVIEW
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Broadcaster Head-end
Ad Asset
Management
Broadcast Automation
and Play-out System
PV Ad Marker
Insertion System
Public Internet
Firewall
TV Distribution Network
IPTV Network
Head-end
PV1000 ADM
IP Network
Backbone
Network
Management
PV1000 ADM
PV1000 ADM
Local
Network
Local
Network
Viewer Regions
Figure 1 Packet Vision Solution
Copyright 2009 Packet Vision Limited. All rights reserved. (Jun09)
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The system contains all the components necessary to manage, splice and process the video
stream. These include multiple gigabit Ethernet network interface ports, multiple storage
drives for media and system files and multiple multi-core processors providing class-leading
splicing performance in a single 1RU space. As a processor blade in a server rack, the ADM
has the same features and performance but is able to reside in a general purpose data centre
system.
Packet Visions ADM is based on the very latest Intel Xeon 5500 series processors and is
able to offer exceptional performance and stream density. A single 1RU unit, or a single
processor blade, is capable of handling up to 150 MPEG-2 or H.264 standard definition
streams and, further, can splice simultaneously on each stream with different spliced media if
required. This high stream density coupled with the use of generic server platforms provides a
very cost effective and scalable solution.
The ADM is based around an Asymmetric Multi-Processing model where the system is split
between non-realtime activities (such as management, ad caching and configuration) in the
Management processor and realtime activities (such as video transport, splicing and shaping)
in the Video Switching Engine (VSE) processors. Each system has a single Management
processor and one or more VSE processors.
The Management processor runs a Linux operating system, whilst the VSE processors run a
proprietary, high performance, threaded operating system developed by Packet Vision to
allow for very predictable real time operation. The VSE processors condition the streams so
that any downstream device, such as a set top box, is completely unaware that content has
been replaced during an ad avail. By default, the SCTE 35 ad avail markers are also
removed. Support is also provided for back to back splicing allowing multiple ads to be joined
together within a single avail.
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The ADM has been designed to work in a variety of system configurations and with a wide
range of standards and protocol support. It can operate independently from any middleware
requirements allowing for easier integration into existing networks. By splicing in the MPEG-2
Transport Stream domain, operation is possible even when using Digital Rights Management
(DRM) protected media as long as MPEG-2 layer headers and MPEG-4 / H.264 NAL unit
headers and slices are available unencrypted. Additionally, support for MSTV proprietary Aserver and D-server protocols in the 'Mediaroom' environment, allowing for seamless Instant
Channel Change (ICC) operation.
The PV1000 ADM complies with various standards used for Digital Program Insertion (DPI).
These include SCTE 35 to process ad avail markers, SCTE 30 to control the splicer within the
ADM and also SCTE 130 to allow interfacing to Ad Decision Service equipment.
Video and Audio codec support is wide ranging and includes MPEG-2 (MP@ML) and MPEG4 H.264 (MP@L3) for standard definition video and MPEG-4 / H.264 (HP@L4) for high
definition video, as well MPEG-1 Layer II, Dolby Digital (AC3) and MPEG-4 AAC (HE-AAC v2)
for audio. The ADM supports both Variable Bit Rate (VBR) and Constant Bit Rate (CBR)
media streams, up to 8Mbps for SD and 16Mbps for HD.
MPEG-2 Transport Streams (TS) are used as the main method of encapsulation for both
ingress and egress of packet based media streams and support is provided for both MPEG-2
TS over UDP/IP and MPEG-2 TS over RTP/UDP/IP.
The PV1000 ADM can be managed and controlled using a range of different methods. A web
based configuration and control interface is built into the ADM allowing for simple and clear
operation, and support is provided for SNMPv2 for centralised monitoring of multiple ADM
platforms.
Packet Visions advertising solution allows PV1000 ADMs to be placed in a variety of
locations within an IPTV network depending on the demands of the system. For global ad
replacement over an entire network, a single ADM could be placed at the head end of the
network. For more complex multi-region or multi-group scenarios a number of ADMs could be
placed at the periphery of the network servicing the smaller regions and groups. In all cases,
targeted television streams can be created with minimal, if any, additional bandwidth
requirements on the existing network.
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Processing of Media Object Server (MOS) XML data records from a channel
automation system identifying the program running order, original ad content and
approximate timings which are present in the channel stream.
Processing of electrical signals from a channel automation system indicating
accurately the start and end of ad breaks.
Generation of SCTE 104 messaging which is sent to an IP encoder, or transcoder,
which will then place the SCTE 35 markers correctly.
The AMIS can be hosted on any suitable platform running a Linux operating system with a
Real Time patch. In common with both the Packet Vision ADM and TMS systems, it can be
installed on either 1RU or blade / chassis servers, as long as an electrical interface for the
channel automation system control signals can be established. A single AMIS system would
be required for each channel to be processed.
The AMIS is used at the point that a standard broadcast program stream is converted into an
IP encapsulated MPEG-2 Transport Stream by a suitable encoder or transcoder. This would
typically be the head end of the IPTV network although it could be located elsewhere if more
convenient. Although the AMIS works in tandem with an IP encoder, it does not necessarily
have to be physically placed adjacent to it.
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The MOS XML data records that the AMIS processes are sourced from a channel automation
system and contain a variety of information relating to a specific channel. The AMIS filters the
records and from them determines the program and advertisement running order for the
channel concerned, including all program change and ad timings. This effectively gives the
AMIS advanced notice of ad breaks of interest. The AMIS can intelligently select breaks
based on duration, program type and whether the program is a live broadcast, such that they
are a suitable match for the replacement ads to be inserted.
To provide frame accurate timings for the start and end of an ad break the AMIS uses
supplementary signals also supplied by the channel automation system. These are known as
General Purpose Input and Output (GPIO) and consist of traditional broadcast standard
current loop signals normally used to switch play-out devices within the channels head-end.
A pre-roll signal occurs at some point before the actual ad start point and the AMIS uses this
to trigger the SCTE 104 messaging to the IP encoder. The encoder then processes the SCTE
104 messages and places SCTE 35 markers at the actual start and end frames of the ads, as
well as conditioning the stream, such that Packet Visions PV1000 ADM is able to replace the
ads as required.
Using the Packet Vision AMIS provides a convenient way of interfacing to a channels
automation system for situations where SCTE35 markers need to be added to a stream to
identify the precise timings of ad breaks.
For more information on Packet Visions complete solution for advanced IPTV advertising
please visit: www.packetvision.com
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